Category: 2024 persecution incidents

Sparrowhawk shot in Essex

Essex Police are reporting the discovery of a sparrowhawk that was found shot in the Elder Street area of Uttlesford on Wednesday 13th March 2024.

The injured Sparrowhawk was taken to the South Essex Wildlife Hospital for treatment but it didn’t survive its injuries.

If anyone has any information about this crime please contact Essex Police on Tel 101, quoting incident ref 42/41024/24.

The county of Essex is becoming a real hotspot for bird of prey persecution.

Other raptor persecution crimes in recent years include the poisoning of two red kites reported in February 2024 (here), the suspected shooting of a peregrine in January 2024 (here), the shooting of a buzzard in December 2023 (here), the shooting of another buzzard in January 2023 (here), the shooting of a red kite in September 2022 (here), the shooting of another red kite in November 2021 (here), another red kite found dead in suspicious circumstances in November 2021 (here), the shooting of another three buzzards in 2020, one in Dec (here), one in September (here) and one in June (here), and the suspected shooting of a Hobby in August 2020 (here).

Young white-tailed eagle found shot dead in Co. Roscommon

A young female white-tailed eagle has been found shot dead near Cranberry Lough in County Roscommon, Ireland.

She was part of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) long-running reintroduction project and had been released at Lough Derg two years ago.

The corpse of the shot white-tailed eagle. Photo: NPWS

As part of the reintroduction project, the young eagles are fitted with satellite tags to monitor their movements. Information from this eagle’s tag suggest she was killed sometime between Monday evening and Tuesday morning on 11th/12th March 2024.

She’d been present in the area for the last few weeks, having previously travelled around the north and west of Ireland once she’d dispersed from Lough Derg almost a year ago.

Director General of the NPWS, Niall Ó Donnchú, said forensic examinations were being conducted which he hoped would provide more information about the weapon used to kill the eagle.

“I deplore this wanton act of violence against this beautiful and endangered bird. We’re asking for the public’s help in bringing the perpetrator of this heinous act of destruction to justice.”

Meanwhile, just over the border in Northern Ireland, the investigation is ongoing into the illegal poisoning of two white-tailed eagles, found dead last year on the only moor that’s managed for driven grouse shooting in NI (here).

Illegally killed hares & raptors dumped outside community shop – Hampshire Police investigating

This is horrific.

Posted on Twitter this morning:

There are at least 38 dead hares and a dead kestrel and barn owl. This is a village community shop in Broughton near Stockbridge.

Hampshire Police have attended the scene, removed the corpses and have launched an investigation.

UPDATE 29 March 2024: Man in custody in relation to dumped hares and raptors outside Broughton community shop (here)

UPDATE 11 April 2024: Police interview second man in relation to dumped hares and raptors outside Broughton community shop (here)

UPDATE 14 August 2024: Man charged in connection to dumped hares and raptors outside community shop in Hampshire (here)

UPDATE 12 September 2024: Man in court in connection to dumped hares and shot raptors at Broughton community shop, Hampshire (here)

UPDATE 29 September 2024: Trial date set in relation to dumping of dead raptors & hares outside Broughton community shop (here)

Gamekeeper in Scotland charged with killing goshawk on a Perthshire estate in February

Press release from Police Scotland (4th March 2024):

Photo: Ruth Tingay

47-year-old man arrested and charged following death of goshawk near Blairgowrie

On Thursday, 29 February, wildlife crime officers acting under warrant searched an estate near Blairgowrie with the assistance of our partners the RSPB and the SSPCA.

This resulted in a 47-year-old man being arrested and charged with killing a goshawk, which is a protected bird, contrary to section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

The incident took place on Monday, 12 February.

Police Scotland Wildlife Crime Coordinator Detective Sergeant David Lynn said:

“Police Scotland will pursue anyone deliberately targeting Scotland wildlife. This multi-agency day of action shows our collective commitment to safeguarding Scotland’s wild animals.”

ENDS

This is an efficiently-handled case by Police Scotland and agency partners SSPCA & RSPB. The time from the alleged offence and the subsequent arrest and charge is unusually short. It’s also good to see an early press statement – well done.

NB: As an individual has been charged this case is considered live so comments have been turned off until criminal proceedings end. Thanks for your understanding.

UPDATE 23 July 2025: Trial date for Scottish gamekeeper accused of killing a Goshawk on a Perthshire shooting estate (here)

UPDATE 17 September 2025: Change of trial date for Scottish gamekeeper accused of killing a goshawk on a Perthshire shooting estate (here)

UPDATE 12 November 2025: Trial of Scottish gamekeeper accused of killing Goshawk now delayed until March 2026 (here)

Two red kites found poisoned in Essex – Police seize firearms & ‘other articles’ in raid

Essex Police’s Rural Engagement Team has been busy again.

Yesterday, with assistance from other agencies including the National Wildlife Crime Unit and Natural England they searched a farm in the Colchester area after the discovery of two poisoned red kites. Firearms and ‘other articles’ were seized and the investigation is ongoing.

One of two poisoned red kites found. Photo: Essex Police

The county of Essex is becoming a real hotspot for bird of prey persecution.

Other raptor persecution crimes in recent years include the suspected shooting of a peregrine in January 2024 (here), the shooting of a buzzard in December 2023 (here), the shooting of another buzzard in January 2023 (here), the shooting of a red kite in September 2022 (here), the shooting of another red kite in November 2021 (here), another red kite found dead in suspicious circumstances in November 2021 (here), the shooting of another three buzzards in 2020, one in Dec (here), one in September (here) and one in June (here), and the suspected shooting of a Hobby in August 2020 (here).

Peregrine suspected shot in Essex – Police appeal for information

Essex Police are appealing for information after the discovery of an injured peregrine in the Highwood area of Chelmsford on 15th January 2024.

The wounded bird was admitted to the South Essex Wildlife Hospital and on examination is believed to have been shot.

I’ve asked for information about the peregrine’s condition and asked whether an x-ray had confirmed the bird had been shot. I’ll update this post when I hear.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Essex Police on Tel 101.

This latest raptor persecution victim is the 9th in Essex in recent years, following the shooting of a buzzard in December 2023 (here), the shooting of another buzzard in January 2023 (here), the shooting of a red kite in September 2022 (here), the shooting of another red kite in November 2021 (here), another red kite found dead in suspicious circumstances in November 2021 (here), the shooting of another three buzzards in 2020, one in Dec (here), one in September (here) and one in June (here), and the suspected shooting of a Hobby in August 2020 (here).